Neck-yoke center



(No Model.)

' P. J. HEILMAN.

. NECK YOKE CENTER. N0. 300,074. Patented June 10; 1884.

WITNESSES I INVENTOR Q, 8. 39m 5 I CZLM/ Attorney N. PETERS, Photo-Lilhngnlpher. Washingmm 0.6.

NlTE STATES ATENT Drama.

PHILIP]? J. HEILMAN, OF EMPORIA, KANSAS.

NECK-YOKE CENTER.

fiPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,074, dated June 10, 1884.

Application filed February 25, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIPP J. HEILMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at E111- poria, in the. county of Lyon and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Neck-Yoke Centers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in neck-yoke centers; and its object is to supply such a device to the yoke as can be readily and securely fastened thereon without liability to become loosened by use, but which may be detached therefrom and applied to another yoke, if desired.

Said improvements consist in constructing the neck-yoke center in such a manner that it can be readily attached and adjusted to fit the yoke closely and securely; and it further consists in the peculiar construction and use of metal plates and attachments in combination with the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter, and specifically set forth in the claims.

The object of my invention is accomplished by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a neck-yo ke center embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the top of the neck-yoke center; and Fig. 3 is an edge view of the yoke and center, partially in section.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

A. represents the yoke, and B the 'neckyoke center. This center consists in part of the leather tongue F, composed of several layers of leather, which are fastened together below the yokein the ordinary manner, as represented in Fig. 1; and that portion of the leather tongue designated as F, which encircles the yoke, is cut or divided longitudi- (No model.)

draw together the edges of the parts encircling the yoke by means of the ears D D D D, through which they pass, the ears D Dbeing provided with screw-threaded apertures.

K represents a hole to receive-the wagon tongue or pole. The center can be adjusted around the yoke by means of the screw-bolts E E. An ordinary bolt and nut may be used instead of the screw-bolt E.

By reason of the present construction of the yoke, which is formed with enlargements on each side of its middle portion,to prevent the neck-yoke center from'slipping laterally, said center has to be fitted to the yoke by being passed and stretched over the enlargements to get it into position, which necessarily causes it to be comparatively loose, while in case where the band portion of the center encircling the yoke is made of metal it is secured to said yoke by means of screws or .bolts extending into or through the wood, which tend to weaken the yoke and prevent all flexibility of the center in case of the fright or sudden motion of a horse. WVith my invention the center can be made to fit any yoke tightly by the use of the screw-bolts and the removal and adj ustment of the plates, if necessary. No perceptible weight is added to the neck-yoke, while its appearance is improved, and it is perfectly free from all rattling and wearing of the tongue or pole, and the plates and connecting portion of the center are placed where there is but little strain. If the leather portion of vthe center is destroyed or injured, the plates and screw-bolts may be removed and used again, and the entire center can be removed readily from one yoke to another, as heretofore stated.

If desirable, only one screw-bolt may be used, being secured near the center of the plates and also the ears D D may be made thicker, as represented at d in Fig. 3 by dot- ICC yoke divided, substantially as shown and de I to said center, and provided with the ears D scribed, in combination with a clamp attached D D Df, with the adjusting screw-bolts E E thereto, by which it -inay be adj ustably conpassing through said ears, for the purpose set neoted with said yoke. forth. 5 2. In a flexible neck-yoke center, a detaeh- In testimony whereof IaffiX inysignaturein I 5 able device in combination therewith, by presence of two witnesses. means of which the upper portion of the cen- PHILIPP J. HEILM'AN. ter is secured to the yoke-bar and its tension thereabont regulated as required, said device 10 consisting of the plates 0 O,securely fastened Witnesses:

ALEX. Burrs, E. W. CUNNINGHAM. 

